Vibrator appliance particularly useful for dialysis

Abstract

A vibrator apparatus is provided. The vibrator apparatus includes a body weight support to support the body weight of a subject. The body weight support is attached to at least one arm, which includes a first arm portion and a second arm portion. The second arm is adjustably positionable with respect to the first arm portion. The vibrator apparatus also includes a vibrator assembly mounted on the second arm portion of the arm. The second arm portion is positionable relative to the first arm portion to engage an abdominal region of the subject and apply localized inwardly-directed mechanical vibrations.

Description

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001] The present invention relates to a vibrator appliance, and particularly to one useful for a peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatment. The invention also relates to a dialysis method and particularly to one utilizing the novel vibrator appliance.[0002] Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a medical treatment administered when there is insufficient functioning of the kidneys. It is performed by inserting a sterile plastic catheter into the abdominal cavity of the subject and instilling a dialysate solution to irrigate the peritoneum such that solutes transfer across the peritoneal membrane into the dialysate solution from the blood in the mesentery capillary network. This treatment does not require a machine, such as in hemodialysis, but does require much longer periods of time in order to achieve solute removal comparable to that of intermittent hemodialysis. Such a treatment is commonly performed in an ambulatory manner as a CAPD (Continuous Ambulatory P...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an appliance to enhance the rate of removal of solutes during a peritoneal dialysis treatment of a subject, comprising: a holder to be applied to the subject; and at least one vibrator device carried by the holder at a location thereof to engage the subject's abdomen and to apply localized, inwardly-directed mechanical vibrations thereto at a frequency of 1-15 Hz.

[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of administering a peritoneal dialysis treatment to a subject comprising a vibration session including: instilling a dialysate solution into the peritoneal cavity of the subject; applying external localized mechanical vibrations to the front side of the abdomen of the subject at a frequency of 1-15 Hz and an amplitude of 1-20 mm; and draining the dialysate solution from the subject's abdominal cavity. As indicated above, and as will be more fully described below, surprisingly good results were obtained when the mechanical vibrations were applied, at a frequency of 2-6 Hz and at a amplitude of 5-10 mm, especially when two vibrator heads were used engaging the front side of the subject's abdomen on opposite sides of its center line and oriented to direct mechanical vibrations to the central region of the subject's abdominal cavity.

Problems solved by technology

This relatively large number of sessions greatly disturbs the daily routine of the subject.

It also increases the risk of infection.

Images